SOUTHAMPTON is hoping to stage its biggest ever Parkrun with 1,000 runners expected to take part today.

The record-breaking number is expected in preparation for next weekend when all eyes will be on the city as it hosts the ABP Southampton Half Marathon and 10km.

Southampton Parkrun pulls in hundreds of people each week – with a record 844 taking part in the 5km course on Saturday, January 9 – making it the second biggest in the country that weekend.

Now organisers want to smash that record ahead of more than 8,000 people taking to the streets next weekend when the half marathon returns over two days from Saturday, April 23.

Many participants have been using Parkrun as a training ground to build themselves up for the main race which is being organised by Marafun UK with Associated British Ports (ABP) returning as prime sponsors.

The main event is on Sunday, April 24, the same day as the London Marathon, and takes in some of the city’s most iconic sites including the Bargate, the QE2 Anchor and St Mary’s Stadium during the 13.1mile route before finishing back at the Guildhall Square.

The previous day thousands of families will take part in Schools Challenge and the Family Fun Run.

More than 20,000 spectators will take to the streets to cheer runners on and local schools, charities and community groups are serving as ABP Milemakers to keep their spirits up during the race.

Marafun managing director Chris Rees said: “We want to get as many of the Half Marathon runners our to support parkrun and generate community spirit.

“If we can top the 835 and get to 1,000 it would be fantastic.

“It’s a chance for them to meet people in the running community and network with others.

“We are also urging people to support their local parkruns in Eastleigh, Fareham, Netley Abbey and elsewhere in the county either as runners or volunteers.”

The potentially record breaking parkrun in Southampton comes after another event caused public outcry when council chiefs controversially declared they will begin charging a park run held in Little Stoke Park near Bristol.

The Echo contacted Southampton Parkrun but no one was available for comment.

The Parkrun route starts and finishes outside the Hawthorns Cafe in the Common.

Run entry is free but people must register online and print off a barcode used to calculate their finishing times.

Find out more about the event and how to get involved see parkrun.org.uk See abpsouthamptonhalf.co.uk to find out about Southampton Half.